Rocky Mountain National Park fire among several burning in Colorado

Smoke from a fire burning in the Cub Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park Tuesday afternoon obscures the afternoon sun. (Walt Hester)

High wind and low humidity are feeding fires in remote areas of Colorado this week, including a blaze of more than 300 acres in Rocky Mountain National Park Tuesday about 8 miles west of Estes Park.

The fire in Larimer County is burning less than a half mile from the area known locally as "The Pool," about 2 miles west of the Fern Lake Trailhead in Moraine Park, according to Larimer County emergency officials.

"Movement is toward the east and north due to gusty winds," the county said. "This is well away from any structures, but there is some concern for the area in the vicinity of the Moraine Park Campground should we continue to see this fire move east."

Bear Lake Road, Upper Beaver Meadows Road and Moraine Park Campground were closed, as well as trails west of Bear Lake Road and south of Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road remains open.

Smoke was thick in Estes Park, which raised concerns, but there have been no evacuations in or near the town, the National Parks Service stated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The blaze was first reported at about 2 p.m.

The blaze is located about 2 miles from the nearest road, and air support has been requested to join the fight, according to the Sheriff's Department.

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Rocky Mountain National Park spokesman Larry Frederick said winds had been gusty all day, but had tapered off as of about 5 p.m. A cool night with high humidity was expected, which would help control the blaze, but sunny skies and breezy conditions are expected to return to the area Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The Goblin fire in the Animas Canyon north of Durango has grown to 110 acres, according to fire response managers.

Investigators think the fire was started by the Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Train as it navigated the bottom of the canyon, according to the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch, a collaboration of the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Colorado State Forest Service.

In the White River National Forest, an acre and a half burned after two campfires were left abandoned about a mile from the town of Red Cliff Monday.

The blaze was reported about 3 p.m., and fire crews from the Eagle River Fire Protection District, Red Cliff, Eagle and Vail worked until ate in the night to contain the fire before it could spread.

"I can't emphasize enough how careful we need to be with campfires. I'm asking all hunters to put warming fires dead out before leaving camp in the morning," White River National Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams said in a statement. "Unattended campfires are unacceptable."

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